CL CalendarLogic

Weekend pattern guide

Custom weekend pattern business days between dates

Custom weekend pattern business days between dates explains how Sun–Thu, Fri–Sat, and rotating workweeks change the business day counter. See how totals shift in the examples, then set the pattern in the calculator so your results match reality.

Published: December 28, 2025 · Updated: December 28, 2025 · By FinToolSuite Editorial

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Business days between two dates | Include start or end date | Sun–Thu workweek | Business days between dates FAQ

Disclaimer

  • Educational purposes only; not legal or financial advice.
  • Examples are illustrative and simplified.
  • Results depend on your inputs and assumptions and are not guaranteed.
  • Preset holiday lists can be static and may not cover regional observances.
  • Read the Privacy Policy; do not share personal data.

Quick answer: custom weekend pattern business days between dates

  • Changing weekend pattern changes which days the business day counter removes.
  • Sun–Thu workweeks drop Friday–Saturday; Fri–Sat weekends drop Friday and Saturday.
  • Holidays still apply inside your chosen weekend pattern.

Why weekend patterns matter

Weekend settings tell the calculator which days to exclude. Logistics, support, and finance teams in different regions may count Saturday or drop Friday, so an incorrect pattern can shift totals and create off-by-one errors in SLAs or staffing plans.

Common patterns

Sat–Sun weekend

Standard pattern in many countries; counts Mon–Fri.

Fri–Sat weekend

Common in parts of MENA; counts Sun–Thu.

Sun–Thu workweek

Weekend Fri–Sat; Saturday is excluded.

Worked examples

Example A: Fri–Sat weekend

Range: Sun–Wed, inclusion include both.

Result: 4 business days (Fri–Sat removed).

Example B: Sun–Thu workweek

Range: Thu–Tue, include both.

Result: 4 business days (Fri–Sat removed).

Example C: Counting Saturday

Weekend set to Sun only, include both.

Result: Saturday counts as a business day.

How to set custom weekends in the tool

  1. Open the business day calculator.
  2. Select start and end dates.
  3. Open weekend settings and choose Fri–Sat, Sat–Sun, or custom days.
  4. Enable holiday exclusions and add custom holidays if needed.
  5. Pick inclusion mode, then run the business day counter.

Try it now: business day calculator.

Common mistakes

  • Leaving the default Sat–Sun weekend when your team uses Fri–Sat.
  • Forgetting that holidays still apply inside custom weekends.
  • Not documenting the weekend pattern when sharing results.
  • Changing inclusion mode without noting it.
  • Counting Saturday as a workday but leaving it ticked as weekend.
  • Using the wrong holiday year with a custom weekend pattern.

FAQ

What is a custom weekend pattern?

Any weekend setup beyond Sat–Sun, such as Fri–Sat or Sun-only.

Why does weekend pattern change business days?

Business day counters remove weekend days. Changing them changes the total.

Can I set a Sun–Thu workweek?

Yes. Set the weekend to Fri–Sat so Sun–Thu stay as workdays.

Can I keep Saturday as a business day?

Yes. Untick Saturday from the weekend pattern.

Do holidays still apply with custom weekends?

Yes. Holiday exclusions still remove those dates.

Is this guaranteed?

No. Results depend on your inputs and assumptions and are not guaranteed.

Is this legal or financial advice?

No. This is educational. Confirm rules before relying on counts.

Calculate business days now

Set your weekend pattern, select holidays, and pick inclusion mode to get a correct business day total.

Use the calculator

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